Dogs have a reputation for being great pets, and it’s not hard to see why this is on the surface. They’re friendly, fun, and they offer unconditional love no matter what. Why wouldn’t you want something like that in your home? However, there is more to why dogs make the best pets than this. Read on to find out, and it might be that you make the decision to bring a dog into your home to enjoy for many years to come.
They Keep Us Active
Another excellent reason to have a dog as a pet is that they keep us active. It’s easy for humans to make excuses about why they can’t exercise, and although that might feel like the right thing at the time, it’s very bad for our overall health to skip exercise – it should be a regular thing.
When you have a dog, you’ll need to walk them at least once a day, and some more active breeds need two or even three walks a day. This has to be done whatever the weather and however you’re feeling, and there are no excuses. You’ll soon get into a good habit, and not only will these walks be what your dog needs, but they’ll be great exercise for you as well. You’ll both get fitter together.
They Can Help Us Be More Social
You might not think you want to be very social a lot of the time – some people are very introverted and prefer to be by themselves – but isolation can actually lead to mental health issues and even cognitive decline as we get older. Therefore, it’s good to be social when possible, and having a dog makes that easier.
You’ll be taking your dog for a walk, as we mentioned above, and when you do that, you’ll meet other dog walkers. A simple hello can be enough to make you feel less alone, and if you stop for a chat, that’s even better. Maybe you get talking to someone in the waiting room when you go to an animal hospital in Orting, WA. Or perhaps you take your dog to training classes where you can meet other dog owners. You might like to discuss dog-related issues on social media or online forums, and this is a good form of socialization too. Even if you find it hard to chat to others, when you have a dog, you’ll have something in common, which makes it easier to get a conversation started.
Unconditional Love
When you own a dog, and they feel happy and secure in their home and in your company, they will offer you unconditional love. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do; it doesn’t matter if you’re in a bad mood or you’re tired. Nothing matters at all except the dog being able to be close to you. If they can have that, they will be happy, and they will reward you with their love. This, in turn, will make you feel good and even produce serotonin, the happy hormone.
This is why it’s so important to make your dog part of your family and allow it access to your home. They won’t understand why they can’t be with you if you shut them away or don’t let them follow you around. You’ll need to make allowances for your pet to keep it happy and healthy.
Photo credit: https://unsplash.com/photos/Uyn3kXAaZX8
Did you find this city dog content helpful? Share it with a friend or link it to social media. Enjoy short clips of silly dogs? Best dog training videos? Holistic puppy training tips? Follow us on instagram @nydognanny or on YouTube at nydognanny. Have some news you needs to get to dog and cat parents stat? Email info@newyorkdognanny.com with your article pitch.
